Peach tree named ‘SWEETREINE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white peach tree, denominated ‘SWEETREINE’, has a large fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive bright purple red skin color on a washed-pink red ground. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persicaL. Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘SWEETREINE’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2010/0498 filed on Mar. 2, 2010 (Mar. 2, 2010) which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of whitepeach tree, Prunus persica L. Batsch, which has been given the varietydenomination ‘SWEETREINE’. This new tree produces fruit with a longshelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completionand after harvesting, large fruit with very good eating quality, freshfruit for fresh market in early August in the Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartment, France. Contrast is made to ‘MAPERLA’ (non-patented),‘SWEETSTAR’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,145) peach trees, standardvarieties, for reliable description. ‘SWEETREINE’ is a promisingcandidate for commercial success in that it has a semi-late periodflowering, fruit with very long shelf life without alteration afterharvesting, and so a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘SWEETREINE’ peach tree originated in a cultivated area of the south ofFrance, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested. Themale parent is ‘NECTACHIEF’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,330), yellownectarine tree with a very attractive fruit of a round shape and abright red blush color. The female parent ‘MASNOW’ (non-patented) is awhite peach tree with a well-balanced flavor. ‘NECTACHIEF’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 19,330) was obtained by seedling. The male parent is ‘ZAITABO’nectarine tree (sold under the trademark BIG TOP®) and the female parentis ‘ARMKING’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,943) nectarine tree. ‘NECTACHIEF’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,330) blooms in March in South of France. Moreparticularly, ‘NECTACHIEF’ blooms at the same time as ‘NECTAROSS’ or‘MAILLARMATE’, and 3 days after ‘ZAITABO’ (BIG TOP®) between the 7^(th)and 21^(st) of March. The first fruit of ‘NECTACHIEF’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 19,330) ripens in early July, approximately 6 days after ‘ZAITABO’(BIG TOP®). More particularly, it approximately ripens between the4^(th) and 13^(th) of June. ‘MASNOW’ (non-patented) is a white peachvariety with a very good presentation and a well-balanced flavor. Theblooming period begins in mid-March and the maturity period beginsusually in late July in the South of France climatic conditions.‘SWEETREINE’ variety has been determined to have unique tree and fruitcharacteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production.There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scioncultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original treeand all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. Theplant of the ‘SWEETREINE’ variety was reproduced asexually in Elne,Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, the plant ofthe ‘SWEETREINE’ variety was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of white peach tree ‘SWEETREINE’ blooms inearly March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Theflowering period is considered as semi-late in the South of France.

The first fruit of ‘SWEETREINE’ ripens in early August, around 2.5 weekslater than ‘SWEETLOVE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,144) variety or 2 weeksbefore ‘SWEETSTAR’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,145) variety. Moreparticularly it ripens between the 2^(nd) of August and the 11^(th) ofAugust.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying pictures, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows three typical specimens of thefruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of thehalves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the newvariety. The leaves of the new variety are also present.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph that shows a typical tree with fruits atripening time of the new variety ‘SWEETREINE’ at ripening time.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph that depicts a close view of two typicalfruits on tree, at ripening time.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘SWEETREINE’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread tosemi-upright aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwoodside away from sun. Flowering begins semi-late in springtime. The typeof flower is showy, with medium to large petal size. Petals are mediumpink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity forconsumption is considered semi-early. The fruit flesh is white with aslight red pigmentation under the skin and around the stone cavity.Fruit skin is very thick, of bright purple red color on a washed-pinkred ground. The stone is clingstone, of medium size and the flesh isvery adherent. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘MAPERLA’ (non-patented) the fruit flavor is semi-sweet. Theblooming period is earlier of approximately 6 days than ‘MAPERLA’(non-patented). The maturity period is semi-early in South of France andconsidered as identical.

Compared to ‘SWEETLOVE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,144) the maturity periodis later of 2,5 weeks or earlier of 2 weeks than ‘SWEETSTAR’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 21,145).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of white peach tree, the following has been observedduring the second fruiting season under the ecological conditionsprevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, in thePyrénées-Orientales department, France. All observations have been madeon rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a rootstock tree of thetrademark ‘FRANC INRA MONTCLAR®’. All major color code designations areby reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by TheRoyal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Medium to high as compared to other common commercial            peach cultivars. The tree size the first year was            approximately 2.50 meters. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately 2.50            meters. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 0.80            meters. So the tree size from the second year (second and            next years) reached a final height of 3.30 meters including            current seasons shoots length.        -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was            oriented to a central leader organization, with tree lines            spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same            tree line.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous. The present variety grew from about 60.0            centimeters to 80.0 centimeters in height during the first            and following growing seasons. For second and following            seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate height of            2.50 meters.        -   Productivity.—Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by            thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired            market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with            the prevailing climatic conditions and cultivar practices            employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Considered very regular. A thinning of 1 fruit out            of 3 was necessary for the tree valorization. Thinning may            not be too important because of the high magnifying            potential of the fruit.        -   Form.—Semi-spread to semi-upright naturally.        -   Density.—Considered medium dense to dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.            Fruits remain very attractive because they are well colored            with an excellent semi-sweet flavor. Experimentations on            different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised            between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behavior of            the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained            temperatures as low as −12° degrees Celsius. The tree was            also very resistant to frosty springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 5.5 centimeters and 6.5            centimeters when measured at a distance of approximately            30.0 centimeters above the soil, on trees from the second            growing season.        -   Bark texture.—Rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the            second growing season. The number of lenticels reaches 3 to            4 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from            approximately 0.15 centimeters in height and about 0.2 to            0.4 centimeters in width.        -   Lenticels color.—The outside surface of lenticels has a            silver-grey color (RHS GREY 201 C), whereas the inside            surface is brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 166 C to D).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little            more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS GREY 201 B            to C or RHS BLACK N200C).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium to thick for the variety. Mature branches            show a length between 80.0 and 90.0 centimeters.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The            current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 10.0            millimeters, and branches of trees from the second growing            season have a diameter comprised between 12.0 and 20.0            millimeters.        -   Current season shoots surface texture.—Average, wood that is            several years old has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 85            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.        -   Internode length.—Generally 25.0 millimeters to 30.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A to B).        -   Color of current season shoots.—The color of new shoot tips            is considered a pale yellow green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A            to C) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper            part is colored brown-purple to brown-red (RHS GREYED PURPLE            GROUP 187 A to B or GREYED RED 182 A) following the position            on the shoot.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf            measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright,            current-season growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio            leaf length/leaf width is above 3.72.        -   Leaf length.—From 161.0 to 178.0 millimeters with leaf            petiole. Average length of 164.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—From 39.0 to 51.0 millimeters. Average width of            44.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave relative to the leaf longitudinal            axis.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Tip form.—Acuminate and small.        -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. Dark green (RHS GREEN 137            A). Lower surface. Of a lighter green (RHS GREEN 137 B to C)            than the upper leaf surface color. Leaf texture. Smooth and            glabrous. Leaf venation. Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—Color. Light green with a yellow touch (RHS YELLOW            GREEN 145 C to D) and evolves with maturity. Leaf margins.            Slightly undulating. Form. Considered slightly dentate.            Uniformity. Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one            or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).        -   Leaf petioles.—Size. Considered medium. Length. About 9.0 to            11.0 millimeters. Diameter. About 1.7 millimeters. Color.            Light green on the upper surface (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A            to B) and light green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B) on the lower            surface.        -   Leaf glands.—Size. Considered medium. Their length is about            1.5 millimeters. Their width is between 1.5 and 2.0            millimeters. Number. Generally 3 to 4. Type. Reniform.            Color. On young leaves, leaf gland color is considered pale            green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B). On older leaves, leaf gland            color turns to a dark brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A to B).            Margins. Smooth and regular.        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. No leaf stipules were observed.            But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves            uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or            3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. At pre-floral stage of development,            the floral buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their            form is evolving until blooming, with variable dimensions.            Just before blooming, floral buds are approximately 12.0            millimeters wide and approximately 20.0 millimeters long.            Color. This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, or calyx formed by sepals, is of            purple-brown color (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to B); the            corolla formed by petals, is generally of medium pink color            (RHS RED PURPLE 65 A to B or RED PURPLE 69 B). Petals color            shows an evolution until the end of blooming. Hardiness. The            buds are considered hardy under typical central            Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions. No            winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales department,            with winter temperatures as low as −10° C. in January. The            current variety has not been intentionally subjected to            drought or heat stress, but the variety showed a very good            resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42° C. with an            average temperature between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks            in summer. Date of bloom. Generally early March. The first            bloom was observed on Mar. 1, 2005. Second to fourth blooms            took place respectively on Feb. 28, 2008, Mar. 1, 2009 and            Mar. 22, 2010. Blooming time. Considered semi-late in            relative comparison to other commercial peach cultivars            grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The            date of full bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming            period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic            conditions and cultural practices. Duration of bloom.            Approximately 7 to 9 days. This characteristic varies            slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. Flower            type. The variety is considered to have a showy type flower.            Flower size. Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at            full bloom is approximately 32.0 to 36.0 millimeters. Bloom            quantity. Considered abundant, approximately 40 flowers per            meter. Flower bud frequency. Generally 2 flower buds appear            per node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal.—Size. Considered medium to large for the species.            Length. Generally about 19.0 millimeters. Width. Generally            about 19.0 millimeters. Petal form. Round. Petal count.            Nearly always 5. Petal texture. Smooth. Petal color. Both            surfaces of the petal are colored with a medium pink (RHS            RED PURPLE 65 B to D) when young, darkening with advancing            senescence. Fragrance. Soft.        -   Petal claw.—Form. The claw is considered to have a conic            form with a slightly rounded tip. Length. Approximately 6.0            to 8.0 millimeters. Width. Approximately 5.0 to 6.0            millimeters. Petal margins. Slightly wavy, sinuate.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. The petal apices are generally            complete at the tip and round.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. Considered medium to long and having            an average length of approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.            Diameter. Average 2.0 millimeters. Color. Brown to light            brown (RHS GREY BROWN N199 B to C).        -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. Smooth and glabrous. Color.            The inner surface of the calyx is considered washed-green            yellow (RHS YELLOW 13 A to B or YELLOW GREEN 150 A to B)            color. The outer surface is purple brown (RHS GREYED PURPLE            183 A to D).        -   Sepals.—Number. Generally 5. Surface texture. The outer            surface has a fine pubescent texture. Size. Medium. Ovoid            shape. Length. Approximately between 5.0 and 6.0            millimeters. Width. Approximately between 4.0 and 5.0            millimeters. Color. Flat red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to B)            . Stamens per flower. Average 40 stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—Length. Medium. Color. Yellow orange red color (RHS            YELLOW ORANGE 16 A to B). Anthers are becoming brown (RHS            GREYED RED 178 A) at maturity. The color evolves with            flowering. Pollen production. Pollen is abundant, and has a            yellow color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 17 B to C). The present            variety is auto-fertile (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—Size. Variable in length, approximately 9.0 to            15.0 millimeters in length. Color. Considered pale pink (RHS            RED PURPLE 62 C to D to RED PURPLE 73 A to B). The color is            evolving with flowering.        -   Pistil.—Number. Usually 1. Length. Approximately from 14.0            to 16.0 millimeters including the ovary. Color. Considered            very pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 150 D or RHS YELLOW GREEN            151 D). The color is evolving with flowering. Surface            texture. Glabrous.-   Fruits:    -   -   Maturity.—Very firm at maturity (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 11, 2010, exceptionally late due            to climatic conditions in winter 2010.        -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 25, 2010, exceptionally late due            to climatic conditions in winter 2010. The date of harvest            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Generally. Considered large, with a homogeneous size            between them. Average cheek diameter. From 74.0 to 80.0            millimeters. Average axial diameter. From 65.0 millimeters            70.0 millimeters. Typical weight. Generally between 200.0            grams and 220.0 grams. This characteristic is highly            dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and            therefore is not particularly distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. Round to slightly oblong. The fruit            is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end.            Fruit suture. Very shallow, extending from the base to the            apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the            suture line.        -   Suture.—Color. This has generally a color similar to the            blush fruit color, a bright purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE            187 A to B) on a red ground (RHS RED 47 A to B).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. Smooth. Apex. Not prominent,            sometimes very slightly marked, very small. Base.            Semi-flared. Shallow. Stem cavity. Average depth of the stem            cavity is about 11.0 millimeters. Average width is about            20.0 millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. Considered very thick and strong, and            tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of maturity.            Texture. Very thin and pubescent, almost glabrous. Taste.            Semi-sweet, sugared, aromatic. Tendency to crack. None.        -   Color.—Blush color. This blush color is a homogenous bright            purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 A to B). The red blush            covers 60% to 90% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage            of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is            generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions under            which the fruit was grown. Ground color. The ground color is            washed-pink red (RHS RED 47 A to B) on 10% to 40% of the            fruit. The percentage of the ground color of the fruit skin            surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the            prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown. Fruit            stem. Medium in length, approximately 9.0 millimeters.            Diameter. Approximately 4.0 millimeters. Color. Pale green            (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A to B).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. Very homogenous, slow, very evenly. Texture.            Very firm, very dense, crunchy, luscious, and juicy at            harvesting maturity stage. Fibers. Not fibrous. Aroma.            Pronounced. Eating quality. Considered very good, sweet and            aromatic. Flavor. Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is            generally superior to 13 degrees and acidity is comprised            between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered juicy            and aromatic. Juice. Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix.            Superior to 13.0 degrees. This characteristic varies            slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing            cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.            Flesh color. White flesh (RHS WHITE 155 A to B) usually with            a slight red pigmentation (RHS RED 53 B to C) in the stone            cavity and star-shaped around the stone cavity on            approximately 5.0 millimeters.        -   Stone.—Type. Clingstone, more or less intense according to            the fruit maturity. Stone cavity. Medium, with an ovoid form            and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.            Size. Considered medium for the variety. The stone size            varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop            load and prevailing growing conditions. Length. From 30.0 to            33.0 millimeters. Width. From 24.0 to 27.0 millimeters.            Diameter. From 17.0 to 21.0 millimeters. Form. Elliptic.            Base. Straight.        -   Apex.—Shape. The stone apex is short and prominent.        -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. The pit is transversely            furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced            toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief            is prominent generally and present basally. Ridges. The            surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent            ridges along the ventral edges and is more prominent at the            apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. Considered small to medium, and having            a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. Grooved. Stone color. The color of the            dry stone is purple brown (RHS GREYED PURPLE N186 C or 187 A            to B) with some zones of light brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 174            B to C). Tendency to split. Splitting is absent or very low,            depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and            stone hardening.        -   Kernel.—Size. Medium. Length. About 17.0 millimeters. Width.            About 13.0 millimeters. Thickness. About 5.0 to 6.0            millimeters. Form. Considered oblate and elliptic. Pellicle.            Slightly pubescent. Color. The kernel skin is orange brown            (RHS GREYED ORANGE 164 A to B or 165 B). The almond, which            is the seed of the kernel, is cream-white (RHS WHITE 155 B).            The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit            maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘SWEETREINE’ is considered to be a            white peach tree of the semi-early season of maturity, and            which produces fruits that are considered large, firm, and            attractively colored. Fruits are excellent for uncooked            consumption, crunchy or at full maturity. Due to their flesh            quality, firmness and density, they can also be            commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or            fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for            both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than            one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well            more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They            have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the            tree after growth completion and after harvesting without            alteration.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            peach variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin            damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and            packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during            harvest and packing and its long shelf life without            alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks-shipping at            2° degree Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is low            sensitive to powdery mildew, and low sensitive to            conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and strong            skin.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of white peach tree as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by a large fruit of very long shelf lifewithout alteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white fleshof high eating quality and an attractive bright purple red skin color ona pink red ground.